A disarmament process that was being carried out in the state has been suspended until January, authorities in Lakes State have said.

The Minister of Information, Dhieu Wol, says rains have made it difficult to access remote areas to collect guns.

Last month, 600 firearms were collected from Rumbek Central and Rumbek East counties.

In the recent months, the counties witnessed violence including revenge killings and cattle raids.

Mr Dhieu says some counties and cattle camps where more guns could have been found were not reached due to bad roads.

“We have a problem of accessing some areas because of the floods and rains,” he confirmed.

Mr Dhieu said organized forces will work in coordination with the local chiefs and youths to collect the guns when the disarmament resumes next year.